celebrate its 50th anniversary. Since it first opened its doors in 1947, the Southampton property has served as host on several occasions to more than 6,000 repeat visitors, all of whom were invited to help commemorate the milestone. According to the resort's general manager, Neal Stephens, although various activities will be held throughout the year, the main festivities will take place this month. "We are celebrating our 50th anniversary and will be doing things throughout the year but we have planned several weeks of celebrations in April,'' he said. "Vintage photographs will adorn a gallery in the lobby and long-time guests are joining in by sending their family memorabilia. We plan to have three big parties; cocktail receptions tomorrow night, the 9th, and the 16th of April, with entertainment such as gombeys and bagpipers. And on one of those three evenings, schedule permitting the Reefs' managing director, (Tourism Minister) David Dodwell, will be here and we've commissioned a granite, engraved stone to be recessed in a wall behind which a cavity will be built in which he'll put a time capsule.'' The hotel's many repeat guests had been invited to join in the celebrations through a special anniversary package which runs from April 1 through 17th, added Mr. Stephens.

" We did a mailing to about 6,000 of our repeat guests and, so far, have heard from just over 70 or 75 that they will come down to participate in the celebrations.'' The general manager explained that the 50th Anniversary Package is available to all guests from April 1 through 17 and features five days and four nights in an ocean-view lanai, the anniversary parties held on each Wednesday night during the celebration weeks and a one-day tandem bicycle rental or two three-day bus/ferry passes. Guests also receive round-tip taxi transfers from the airport and are greeted with chilled champagne and a Reefs anniversary gift in their rooms. "The Reefs enjoys extremely high repeat business -- topping 65 percent -- with some guests having visited the hotel more than one hundred times! With our repeat guests, we correspond with them three times a year via newsletter, giving them information on staff and also other repeat guests. People often ask why is it that we've been so successful over the years. We believe there are three reasons. "Firstly, the rooms were all blessed with a great location, they all face the water and they all have great views. Secondly, from the guest's point of view, a number of them refer to their stays at the Reefs as "coming home''. A lot of guests come the same week of the same month every year. May and October are most popular. It's more like time sharing and they've all made a lot of friends over the years and see all the same people when they return so it's like a reunion for them. Also, our repeat visitors have seen some of the same staff for years and years and have gotten to know them very well just as the staff has gotten to know them.'' According to Mr. Stephens, the South Shore property boasts two staff members with 45 years or more of service, one with more than 40 years of service, four with more than 35 years of service and four with 25 years or more experience. As well, he said, there are three who have worked at the Reefs for 20 or more years, seven who have spent 15 or more years there, 11 who have worked there for ten or more years and eight staff members who have given five or more years of service. "The Reefs enjoys extraordinarily loyal employees. Especially with those staff members with 25 years or more experience, they are extremely dedicated to their job and helping the guests enjoy their stay because they also view the Reefs as their home. "But the third reason why we believe the Reefs is successful is because of David Dodwell's philosophy of continuous re-investment into the property; keeping it up to date and making repairs. And as part of our commitment to our guests, we have put together an all-inclusive package which offers a less expensive rate than it would normally be for that period. We weren't sure whether or not it would be widely received, but it has and it's boosted our occupancy level for April by about 24 or 25 percent which makes us very happy.'' Guests had also responded well to requests for any pictures they might have of the Reefs during its earlier years, said Mr. Stephens. "We asked all the guests to send pictures of holidays spent here and several have done so,'' he said. "In fact, the family of one of our guests had their 8 mm film of their holidays put on video and they sent us a copy. It included old pictures of the airport and everything. "It's amazing when you look at some of the pictures from back then and consider that Sonesta was just a cow pasture then and there was just beach and cedar trees surrounding the Reefs. Also, in 1947 the Reefs was considered to be pretty far out. It really is something to see the complete lack of development at that time. Other than the lighthouse, there was nothing there; there were certainly no houses.'' Rather than rest on past laurels, Mr.

Stephens said the Reefs is now determined to mould itself into a property that will continue to be accepted by its present clients, but will also appeal to the first-time visitor. "We're challenged now in ensuring that the younger, first time visitor is satisfied with what we're offering,'' he said.

"Everybody's getting older. We have to make sure we attract the honeymooner and the first time visitor. It's a process of change every year to offer something new without changing too much. "One area we must consider is cuisine. The younger guest today tends to be more health conscious and more interested in lighter fare whereas our older patrons generally tend to still enjoy their five-course meals. So there are lots of little things we must look at. But for this month, the Reefs invites guests to re-live a bit of history and celebrate the enduring tradition of gracious Bermudian hospitality.'' enjoying any of the many other amenities available at the Southampton resort.